Camp Grow Ministries

Finding God's Purpose For My Life

2015 Theme Verse:

Colossians 2:6-7: 6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

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Camp Grow Ministries

Finding God's Purpose For My Life

2015 Theme Verse:

Colossians 2:6-7: 6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Our Mission is to glorify God in all we do by providing a quality, safe, Christian outdoor environment for ministry; to help children, youth and families find God's purpose for their lives; and to help build Christian family life.

Camp Grow Ministries New Director Announcement

August 7, 2014

We are delighted to announce that Nick Radcliffe has been appointed Director of Camp Grow Ministries. Nick became a Christian and found God’s Purpose for his life at Camp Grow. He first came to camp in sixth grade with First Baptist Church of Berwyn, Illinois, a Metro Chicago American Baptist church. He graduated from being a camper to being a Summer Ministry Team cabin counsellor from 2007-11 and again in 2013 with lots of kids begging to be in his cabin. From April through August of 2014, Nick served as Co-Director of Camp Grow with Lynn Kotte for a wonderful summer of life changing ministry. Nick holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with minors in Psychology and Bible Studies from Lincoln Christian University, IL. While at Lincoln, Nick was the Assistant Basketball Coach and Inter-Mural Director.

Nick’s appointment followed an excellent interview process with Dr. Larry Greenfield and T.J. Litwiler representing ABC Metro Chicago, Marc Dosogne representing the Camp Grow alumni, and Sandra Wimpelberg, Vice-President of Development at Green Lake Conference Center and Camp Grow Coach for the summer of 2014. Ben Mott, President of Camp Grow Ministries and Green Lake Conference Center, says, “We are thrilled to have Nick take the helm and lead Camp Grow forward in enabling thousands more kids and adults to find God’s Purpose for their life on this magnificent piece of God’s creation. His passion for seeing God change lives through the ministry of camp is infectious”. Nick says, "I am excited to begin this next step in my journey. Camp Grow has always been a big blessing in my life and I am excited to give back to Camp Grow and its campers and supporters the blessings that have been given to me."

Worship

Encounter God through His creation, His word, and His people.

Connection

Connect with others on a level playing field. All are welcomed and loved.

Community

Become a part of the larger Camp Grow family which has been growing since 1960.

Where We've Been

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Where We've Been

The property first became a camp in 1921. It was named Camp Tichora and built up by the Madison area Boy Scout Council. The Chicago Baptist Association purchased the property in 1958, establishing Fred A. Grow Memorial Camp through a gift from Fred’s wife, Maybelle and son, Brim. The property covers forty acres of forest, fields and wetlands and includes frontage on Green Lake to the north and Spring Lake to the south.

Camp Grow was used heavily in the 1960's and 1970’s by Chicago area churches. Camp management stayed consistent until the late 70's, relying on volunteers from churches for staffing, support and recruitment of campers. The camp then experienced a decline as urban churches lost membership and youth budgets were cut. Camp resources dropped along with camper attendance. Yearly management changes, facility neglect, and other factors led to minimal use. Pressure to sell the camp increased as land value around Green Lake skyrocketed.

In 1990, the camp alumni organized itself to promote facility improvements, program growth and new attendance, making a strong case for keeping the camp. In 1997, the Green Lake Conference Center (GLCC) agreed to lease and manage Camp Grow Ministries through a twelve-member Board of Directors. A full-time director who lived year-round on the grounds was brought on to operate Camp Grow. Camp Grow was managed by one full-time director, seasonal staff and volunteers for the following fourteen years. In 2011, Camp Grow welcomed it's first full-time, mission-supported program director.

Camp currently operates under the leadership of one full-time director and a team of people who carry out the work of the ministry.

-taken and updated from the Fall 2013 edition of "The Harvester"

God has been faithful in every season of Camp Grow to reveal Himself through His word, His creation, and His people. Thousands of children, young adults and families have come to camp through the years and left with God's imprints on their heart. Many have begun or continued to Find God's Purpose for their Lives as a result of their time at Camp Grow.

Where We Are Going

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Where We Are Going

We desire to expand the reach of our ministry by continuing to connect with new churches and youth organizations. New connections and relationships mean more children, youth and families will be able to experience what God is doing at Camp Grow.

We desire to be a part of building the next generation of leaders. The opportunities provided through our Leadership Development Camp, Discipleship Adventure, and our Summer Ministry Team provide a context in which to accomplish this. The mission of Green Lake Conference Center, our managing parent organization, is equipping, renewing, and networking leaders. This coupled with our mission of Helping Others Find God's Purpose for their Life influences our focus on building and equipping tomorrow's leaders.

We desire to preserve the identity and history of camp by maintaining and updating our current grounds and facilities. If left to themselves, they would become inoperative. Therefore, we have established a plan to maximize our current facilities by making the necessary repairs and renovations while adding to them aesthetically.

Capital Improvements

Waterfront Revitalization Project

The two main goals of our Waterfront Revitalization project are to repair the foundation of the boat house and concrete seawall and to update our water front making it safer and more inviting.

Phase One: Landscaping

Phase Two: Boathouse

Phase Three: Program Equipment

Dining Hall Revitalization Project

Camping ministry continues to grow and church groups are more interested in having a facility that can be used year round. Groups desire a facility that will meet their growing needs. Our Dining Hall Revitalization Project will convert this building into a year round facility, allowing campers to enjoy it throughout the entire year. Keeping and renovating our current facility is the path we've chosen to address this problem because it's the most economical and because we desire to maintain the rich traditions and history of Camp Grow.

Tipi Village Cabin and Shower Revitalization Project

The new design of Tipi Village will be versatile and will house campers from summer graded camps, family camps and retreat ministry camps. The cabins will be in a circle with a courtyard meeting area in the middle.